UND Athletics/Russell Hons
Belquist breaks UND Division I career receptions record in the win
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – No. 10 North Dakota led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and never let up, defeating Idaho State (1-2), 52-28, inside the Alerus Center on Saturday afternoon. In the win, UND forced four turnovers.
The Fighting Hawks traveled 80 yards on 16 plays and consumed 6:39 of clock in the first quarter on a drive that was capped with a one-yard Gaven Ziebarth touchdown to put the score at 7-0 early. With just over a minute left in the quarter, Devin Hembry intercepted a pass at the UND 8 and returned it for the 92-yard pick-six to increase the lead to 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.
North Dakota scored 24 points in the second quarter to build a 38-0 lead before Idaho State found the end zone on a seven-yard pass right before intermission to bring the tally to 38-7. UND’s scores in the second quarter came in the form of a one-yard rush by Isaiah Smith, a 31-yard field goal from C.J. Elrichs, a one-yard rush from Sawyer Seidl and a four-yard touchdown pass from Simon Romfo to Ziebarth. Elrichs’ field goal was set up by a strip-sack and fumble recovery from Lance Rucker at the ISU 15. On the third play on the following Bengal possession, Riley Gerhardt recorded a strip-sack and fumble recovery of his own which led to Ziebarth’s touchdown reception.
After the 38-7 lead early, North Dakota added a pair of touchdowns in the second half to cruise to the 52-28 win. NoDak’s touchdowns in the second half came in the form of a 17-yard pass from Romfo to Belquist and a 23-yard touchdown scamper from Donavan Hunt. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Jonnie Wiltshire forced a fumble that was recovered by Kason Kelley.
In the game, Belquist led the Hawks with eight receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. With his eight receptions, Belquist broke the UND Division I record for receptions in a career, bringing his total up to 224. He broke the record of Greg Hardin (2010-13), who hauled in 216 receptions in his career.
Romfo finished the day 25-for-38 passing for 287 yards and a pair of scores. He gave up one interception and the Bengals got to him twice on the afternoon. Caden Dennis was his second-favorite target with six receptions for 40 yards, trailed by Nick Kupfer with four catches for 22 yards. The Fighting Hawks piled up 287 yards through the air in the win.
On the ground, UND finished with 155 yards rushing on 38 attempts. Seidl led the rushing attack with 50 yards on 10 attempts. Hunt was the next-best rusher with 48 yards on three carries. Seidl, Hunt, Smith and Ziebarth each scored one rushing touchdown.
North Dakota will host San Diego on Saturday. UND and USD are slated for a 1 p.m. kick inside the Alerus Center. The game will air on Midco Sports and will be carried on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.
Postgame Notes
- North Dakota is now 7-3 all-time in the series with Idaho State.
- NoDak is 46-12 in Potato Bowl USA Games. The Fighting Hawks are on a five-game winning streak in Potato Bowl USA Games.
- UND has now won 27 of its last 30 games inside the Alerus Center.
- The Fighting Hawks are now 4-1 all-time in the MVFC/Big Sky Challenge.
- UND led 38-7 at the break. The 38 points in the opening half were the most UND has scored in a first half in its Division I history against an FCS opponent. The 38 points were also the most points scored by UND in the first half since Aug. 30, 2012, against South Dakota School of Mines – NoDak had 45 points that half.
- The 52 points are the most North Dakota has ever put up against an opponent from the Big Sky Conference. It is also the third-most points NoDak has scored against an FCS team in its history.
- With eight receptions, Bo Belquist broke UND’s Division I school record for receptions in a career with 224. He broke the record of Greg Hardin (2010-13), who hauled in 216 grabs in his career.
- Belquist finished with 165 yards receiving, a new career best. He had the most receiving yards by a UND receiver since Greg Hardin put up 179 yards at UC Davis on Nov. 16, 2013.
- In the opening quarter, Devin Hembry recorded a 92-yard pick-six to put UND up 14-0 early. With the pick, he became the first Hawk to score a pick-six since Ted Mullin had a 33-yard interception return for touchdown in the 49-10 win over Western Illinois last season.
- Lance Rucker and Riley Gerhardt each had a strip-sack and a fumble recovery. Jonnie Wiltshire also forced a fumble in the fourth quarter that was recovered by Kason Kelley. NoDak also had a 92-yard pick-six in the first quarter.
How It Happened
First Quarter
4:14 – UND | Gaven Ziebarth scores on a one-yard rush. (C.J. Elrichs kick). 16 plays, 80 yards, 6:39.
1:10 – UND | Devin Hembry scores on a 92-yard pick-six. (Elrichs kick). 0 plays, 92 yards, 0:00.
Second Quarter
10:58 – UND | Isaiah Smith scores on a one-yard rush. (Elrichs kick). 11 plays, 65 yards, 4:48.
9:51 – UND | Elrichs connects on a 31-yard field goal. 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:01.
4:58 – UND | Sawyer Seidl scores on a one-yard rush. (Elrichs kick). 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:06.
3:50 – UND | Ziebarth scores on a four-yard pass from Simon Romfo. (Elrichs kick). 1 play, 4 yards, 0:06.
0:17 – ISU | Jeff Weimer scores on a seven-yard pass from Hunter Hays. (Gabe Panikowski kick). 12 plays, 75 yards, 3:33.
Third Quarter
4:04 – ISU | Ian Duarte scores on a 11-yard pass from Hays. (Panikowski kick). 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:51.
1:01 – UND | Bo Belquist scores on a 17-yard pass from Romfo. (Elrichs kick). 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:58.
Fourth Quarter
14:27 – ISU | Michael Shulikov scores on a 6-yard pass from Hays. (Panikowski kick). 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:05.
3:30 – UND | Donavan Hunt scores on a 23-yard rush. (Elrichs kick). 7 plays, 79 yards, 3:24.
0:59 – ISU | Weimer scores on a 30-yard pass from Hays. (Panikowski kick). 10 plays, 85 yards, 2:28.
Game Recap: Football | 9/14/2024 5:39:00 PM | Tyler Wells, FightingHawks.com
UND Athletics/Russell Hons
Comments